Our Sanctuary

Our Sanctuary.

The Lord spoke to Moses..

“And let them make Me a sanctuary that I may dwell among them”. (Exodus 25:9)

The central part of our Temple is where prayer services are held. In the United States, the front of the sanctuary faces Jerusalem. The focal point is the Ark which holds the Torah scrolls. The Torah is a scroll, handwritten on parchment, containing the first five books of the Bible. The doors of the Ark may be opened for certain prayers. Opening or closing the doors is performed by a member of the congregation and is considered an honor. All must stand when the Ark doors are opened.

Above the Ark, shines the Eternal Lamp also called the ner tamid. It symbolizes the commandment to keep a light burning in the Tabernacle outside of the curtain surrounding the Ark of the Covenant and to remind us of God’s eternal Presence.(Exodus 27:20-21).

A menorah symbolizes the menorah of the Temple as God instructed Moses to create “You shall make a lampstand of pure gold, the lampstand shall be made of hammered work. Its base and its shaft, its cups calyxes, and petals shall be of one piece. Six branches shall issue from its sides, three branches from one side of the lampstand and three branches from the other side of the lampstand. (Exodus 27:31-32).

The bimah is the raised area where the Rabbi and Cantor stand to conduct services. The Ark is behind the center of the bimah, facing the congregation. The president of the congregation sits on the bimah during services and every week different congregants are chosen for the honor of sitting on the bimah.

We invite you to come visit our newly renovated and comfortable sanctuary.